matthews



(Mode1.) v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. MATTHEWS. Apparatus for Dispensing Carbonated and Other- Aerated Beverages.

No. 243,148. Pgtented June 21,1881;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MATTHEWS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING CARBONATED AND OTHER AERATED BEVERAGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 243,148, dated June 21, 1881.

Application filed January 20, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN MATTHEWS, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Apparatus for Dispensing Carbonated and other Aerated Beverages, of which the following is a specification.

Figure 1 is a vertical central section of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical crosssection of the same; Fig. 3, a horizontal section on the plane of the line 0 c of Fig. 2, and Fig. at a diagram showing one way of filling the apparatus with gas and liquid.

The object of this invention is first so to construct the dispensing apparatus for aerated beverages-such as soda-water and the like that the gas may be supplied to the tumbler or other receptacle in a stream independent of the liquid; also, so to construct the apparatus that the gas which enters the tumbler will not have an opportunity of escaping from the same into the open air until the tumbler is taken away from the apparatus; also, to provide for the proper seating, cooling, and filling of the apparatus containing the immediate supply of the liquid and gas, and to increase the rapidity with which tumblers or other receptacles can be properly filled from the dispensing apparatus.

Heretofore fountains containing what is known as soda-water, or analogous liquids, were usually charged first with the aerated liquid, which was then withdrawn through the single outlet of the fountain, and allowed to flowinto atumbler, which was held at a greater or less distance from the discharge-nozzle. While .the fountain was yet freely charged with gas, more gas escaped through the discharge nozzles than afterward when the supply of gas became less, and, moreover, much of the gas which escaped through the nozzle failed, in many instances, to reach the tumbler, as, owing to its opportunity of suddenly expanding upon coming in contact with the external air, it escaped and became useless as a component part of the liquid by the time the latter reached the tumbler. Of course the gas, beingsupposed to permeate the liquid, did not fully come up to the expectation, for as the fountain became gradually more and more emptied the vacuum, which would otherwise be occasioned by the (Model) withdrawal of the liquid, would be filled with gas, which to this end disengaged itself from the liquid and acted as a species of spring to force the liquid out of the fountain. To this end the discharge-pipe of such a fountain was usually dipped into the fountain from above, to reach nearly to the bottom thereof, so as to be within reach of thelast portion of liquid that could be forced out by the gas. Thus in the ordinary fountain the gas assumed two functions: first, to permeate the liquid, and secondly, to discharge it, and the less liquid there was the more need there was of a sufficient pressure of gas for eiit'ecting the discharge and elevation of the liquid, and the less gas consequently permeated the liquid itself.

By my invention this arrangement is entirely reversed. I supply the dispensing apparatus with a dispensing vessel or fountain from which two outlets lead to the dischargenozzle. One of these outlets communicates with a pipe that extends nearly to the top of the fountain and takes simply the gas which is there collected. The other is a simple bottom outlet, which lets the liquid flow out in a downward direction whenever the proper valve is opened. Therefore the first part of my invention consists in a fountain for soda-water or other beverages charged and contained in the vessel, together with gas, said fountain being so constructed that the gas will be discharged through a separate outlet from the upper, and the liquid through its own outlet from the lower, part of the fountain. Each of these two outlets has its own valve, and these two valves are closed by springs, and can be operated by a lever in such manner that the gas-discharge-regulating valve will be first opened and the water-dischargemegulating valve afterward opened, whenever the lever is moved or depressed, so that the tumbler will first receive a supply of gas and then of water or liquid, thus allowing the two substances to thoroughly mix in the tumbler, which latter is held against the faucet, so as to prevent gas from escaping while the tumbler is being filled. Therefore the second part of my invention consists in supplying the discharge-nozzle of such dispensing apparatus with two outlets and two valves, and with an operating-lever, all arranged so that these valves will be opened successively by depress in g the lever, although they may in some cases be operated by two levers separately with very good effect. The same openings which serve to discharge the gas and the liquid from the fountain that is placed into the apparatus serve also, if desired, to fill the same; to which endI place under the faucet a cup that joins by one pipe with the gas-supplyand by another pipe with the liquid-supply, and then by depressing the lever the gas-regulating valves being first opened, the receiving-fountain is first charged with gas and then with water, the latter expelling all surplus gas and cansing a complete mixture of gas and liquid in the fountain, which arrangement constitutes the third part of my invention; yet the receiving-fountain may be provided with an independent coupling at the upper part, through which it can be charged with gas and liquid, which arrangementconstitutes, thefourth part of my invention.

My invention consists, also, in means for properly elevating and lowering the tumbler, and also the cup above described; in a new case for receiving the fountain above mentioned, and for packing it in ice, and in other details of improvement, which will be hereinafter more fully described.

As heretofore constituted it was essential to use soda-water-dispensing apparatus with a large supply of ice, in order as much as possible to prevent undue expansion of the gas and its rapid escape at the time of the passage of the aerated liquid from the nozzle to the tumbler. The extreme degree of cold thus imparted to the beverage was not always advantageous to health.

By my invention I am enabled to dispense the liquid under much higher temperature and yet prevent escape of gas, which could heretofore only be partially effected by a lavish use of ice or other refrigerating agent.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A represents a table or stand of suitable construction, adapted to hold by hollow or other supports E an elevated case or box, G, which is of cylindrical or other suitable form, open on top to admit the duplex fountain B, which is the discharge-fountain of the apparatus. This fountain B is placed from above into the case G and seats itself on a rubber packing or other cushion, c, with which the bottom of the case Gis provided, particularly around the central opening thereof. Through this central opening extends the lower portion of the duplex fountain B, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. This fountain is so constituted as to hold its lower discharging end below the case G and above the table or support A. In this position the fountain B may be sustained by suitable braces introduced into the case G; but I prefer to use the concave cap t, which can be placed upon the top of the fountain, and which has radially-projecting arms 6", that fit under inclined projections a, which are secured to the upper part on the inner side of the case G.

After the fountain B has been seated in the case Gthe cap it is applied and turned to bring its arms t" gradually under the inclined projections it until the cap presses with sufficient force upon the fountain, and thus holds it in place; but it is quite evident that in lieu of this concave cap and the apparatus for looking it other means for properly holding the fountain, such as braces, screws, and the like, may be employed without materially differin g from the spirit of my invention.

A cap or cover, 0, is placed over the case G and rests on the projecting bottom thereof, as indicated in Fig. 2, leaving an air-space between it and the case G, all around the latter and above the same, for the better preservation and maintenance of the temperature of the contents of the fountain.

The lower end of the duplex fountain B contains the faucet J, which is made to constitute two discharge-channels from the fountain, and

provided with two valves, K and L. The valve K, by an appropriate spring, closes the passage g through the faucet, which passage com in unicates, as is indicated in Fig. l, with a pipe, I, that extends nearly to the top of the fountain within the same, as shown, so that by opening the valve K a communication between the upper part of the fountain and the faucet J will be established. The other passage, 15, of the faucet, which can be closed by means of the valve L, communicates with an opening, 1'", which isin the bottom ofthe fountain, as clearly indicated in Fig. 1, so that by opening the valve L the liquid contents of the fountain can be allowed to flow out through that bottom opening, 2'", and passage The two valves K and L may be placed in the same plane, or nearly so, and close the respective passages g and 2', under the influence of suitable springs, as indicated in Fig. 8.

M is a lever pivoted to the faucet and perforated, so that the stems of the valves K and L pass through it. By swinging this lever downward these valves can be opened as the lever reaches the heads of the valve-stems; but I prefer to make these valve-stems of such relative lengths that the valve K will be first opened, and almost immediately afterward the valve L, whenever the lever M is moved for the purpose; yet I do not wish to limit myself to the successive opening of these two valves, as good results will be obtained when they are opened simultaneously, and in some cases even when the valve L is opened before the valve K. The duplex fountain B,which I term duplex fountain because of its double discharge apparatus, one from the upper part and one from the lower part, is or may also be provided near its upper part with a coupling, D, which can be joined to a pipe, b,for charging the fountain from a suitable reservoir that connects with the pipe I), and the fountain also may have a vent-opening, H, which can be closed by a suitable valve or cock, (0. In case the coupling D, with its 'pipe I), is used, I proceed in filling the fountain B as follows: An ordinary supply fountain or vessel containing carbonated beverage is placed below the counter or table and connected with the pipe I). The valve d.

in the coupling D is then opened, and the carbonated beverage will partly fill the fountain B. The other valve, a, is now opened for a short time, to allow the air in the fountain B to escape until the fountain B is properly filled with the carbonated beverage. Y

Theicein thechamberGcan drain offthrough an orifice in the bottom of such chamber, which orifice communicates with one of the hollow standardsE, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The pipe b should also preferably be passed through one of these hollow columns or supports.

In lieu of filling the fountain B through the pipe b, I much prefer to fill it in the manner indicated in Fig. 4-that is to say, the fountain B being placed in the ice-chamber, it is clamped by the cap t or by set-screw or otherwise, so that it is pressed firmly on the rubber cushion e, and a water-tight joint made at the bottom of the ice-chamber. A cup, F, is now held tight against the nozzle J by means of the with which the fountain B is to be charged. The pipe 112, leading to the liquid-supply, is

conducted into the cup F, so that it will communicate with the passage 2' of the faucet J, and the pipe I, which extends from the gassupply reservoir, is so joined to the cup F that it will communicate only with the passage 9, as'is clearly shown in Fig. 4.

In order to make the place where the cup F joins the faucet J tight, a ring, a, of rubber or the like should be placed under the shoulder of the faucet, against which the upper edge of the cup F is pressed.

The tubes l m are provided with suitable valves, which are opened when it is desired to charge the fountain B and closed when that operation is completed. WVhen the leverM is now depressed the valve K is first opened and the fountain B instantly charged with gas. On pressing the lever M down further the liquid valveL is also opened, and the water from the supply-fountain N flows down by its gravity and displaces part of the gas in the fountain B, which gas flows back through the top of the tube I and passage 9 to the supply-fountain until the fountain B is nearly filled with the carbonated beverage. The levernow being let go, both the gas and the liquid valves are closed by their springs, and the cocks in the tubes lm can then be closed at leisure, and said tubes disengaged, together with the cup F, to leave the dispensing apparatus ready for use.

To dispense the beverage a drinking tumbler is placed against the shoulder of the fancet that has the packing a, into the same position, practically, which in filling was occupied bythe cup F,so that the tumbler will be sealed by the tight joint at n. The lever M being new depressed, the gas will first flow into the tumbler and afterward theliquid. The liquid will displace part of the gas in the tumbler, which returns, by'the same valve as it enters the tumbler, to the upper part of the fountain B, and it is apparent that none of the gas has the least opportunity of escaping from the apparatus whilethe tum bleris being filled. When the tumbler has been filled with the beverage the lever is let go, the valves closed by the action of the springs, the tumbler is then taken off, and the beverage ready for use.

Overflow of liquid, waste of gas, and imperfect charging of the liquid with gas are altogether avoided by my apparatus.

As liquids dispensed with sirups or wines, or other carbonated beverages containing sugar or suitable flavoring-extracts, are more liable to foam than simple carbonated waters, the size of the discharge-nozzle can be regulated so that the quantity of beverage admit ted to the tumbler may efl'ervesce without overflowing.

For greater convenience in operating the tumbler, and also the cup F, I prefer to use a tumbler and cup holder, P,which is supported by a suitable stem, S, 'oined by a link, T, to crank U of a crank-shaft, U This shaft is operated by a treadle, W, and spring Y. By depressing the treadle and drawing on the crank q of the shaft U the crank U and link T are brought toggle-like in line to lift the stem S and cup-holder P. When the treadle is let go the spring Y lowers the cup-holder and brings the parts into the position shown in.

Fig. 2.

Around the cup-holder, which moves through centrally-perforated drain-plate, Q, may be a depressed box or case, B, as shown. The cup-holder itself should have an elastic bottom, 00, to constitute a yielding support for the tumbler, so that it will be accommodated to slight inequalities in the height of the tumbler, and also furnish a yielding cushion under the influence of great gas-pressure.

The faucet J, by having the packing a at a height below the discharge-orifice, will dip into the'tumbler to displace as much room as will be required to allow the expansion of the liquid, and the foaming, if any, takes place after the tumbler is taken off the faucet. Thus the faucet regulates the quantity of liquid and gas let into the tumbler and the space reserved for expansion. By using a thicker ring, a, the displacement can be made less.

I claim- I 1. The duplex. fountain B, provided with a nozzle, J, which is rigidlyattached to said fountain, and which nozzle has two discharge-orifices, q and i, leading to separate parts of the fountain, and two valves, K and L, both hung in said nozzle, and adapted to hold both the orifices open at the same time, as described.

2. The fountain B, provided with dischargenozzle having two openings, one leading to the upper part and one leading to the lower part of the fountain, and two Valves, K and L, in combination with the lever M, for operating both said valves at the same time, substantially as described.

3. The fountain B, having a discharge-opening from its upper part for the discharge of the gas and a discharge-opening from its lower part for the discharge of liquid, and valves for closing both said openings in a down wardlyprojecting nozzle,in combination with the supporting-case Gr, the bottom of which sustains the lower part of the fountain and allows the nozzle and the valves thereof to projectdownwardly for use in dispensing the contents of the fountain directly into the receiving-tumbler, substantially as herein shown and described.

4. The combination of the fountain B, having its discharge-opening at the lower end,with the inclosing-case G, and upper clamping-device, t a, substantially as described.

5. The fountain B, provided with valves K and L, for regulating the discharge from and en trance ofliquid into the same, in combination with valves K and L and lever M, the stem of one valve being longer than that of the other, substantially as specified.

6. The cup F and pipes l m, in combination with the fountain B, having duplex dischargenozzle, substantially as specified.

7. The combination of the cup F with the inverted fountain B, having duplex dischargeopening, and with the movable cup-holder P, substantially as specified.

8. The combination of the case G, having packed bottom 0, with the inverted fountain B, placed therein,and with cap or cover G, forming air-chamber, substantially as specified.

9. The combination of the case G, placed on hollow supports E E, with the inverted fountain B, cover 0, and packing 0, all arranged so that the fountain may be supplied by pipes leading through one of the hollow supports E, and the case G drained through the other hollow support E, substantially as specified.

10. The fountain B, provided with a liquiddischarge opening at one end, and with a gasdischarge opening leading to the other end, both said openings leading to independent passages in and through one nozzle, and to separate outlets g and i in said nozzle, which nozzle is adapted to dip into a tumbler, substantially as specified.

11. The displacement-nozzle J, made with two inlet-openings that lead to the fountain, and arranged to regulate the quantity of beverage drawn off into the receivingwessel, into which said nozzle is dipped, and which it closes during the act of filling by means of the packing a, substantially as herein shown and described.

JOHN MATTHEWS.

Witnesses:

W. A. PETERS, F. MATTnnws. 

